Possum Busters and neaby tracks tramps

12. 26/10/2016. Both. Round tramp from near Lake Whare. E+. Leaders: Trampers.

The Hikers wished to inspect the work that had been done over the last couple of years by the Track Clearing Group, from our Club. Today’s tramp gave them that opportunity.

The clouds remained low all day, but it wasn’t cold, and no rain to be unpleasant.

A combined group of 20 Hikers and Trampers departed Mosgiel on time, and travelled up past Whare Flat and parked a little way up Rollinsons Road.

The plan was to do a circuit, taking in the following tracks (or parts thereof) – Swine Spur, Possum Busters, Smithys and the Lake Whare Loop – all being in the bush below, and to the south-west of Swampy.

If possible, it is always best to do the hard work first, so it was up Swine Spur at the start. This is an uphill track, gently up in the swampy “cutty grass flats” area at the bottom, and again further up.

The bush area halfway is the worst, with several good uphill scrambles to contend with. After negotiating this it seemed like a good idea to have morning tea …

… and let all have a rest.

Continuing up the ridge we were out in the open, but the low cloud restricted any view. Very soon we came to the junction with Possum Busters, where we could admire the excellent track signs that Ian Hebbard had made – they would be at every junction that we came to on today’s tramp.

We turned right now onto Possum Busters track which still trends slightly uphill for a little before following the contour and descending later. The track was in good order although it crosses a couple of creeks and there were several very wet swampy patches …

… to negotiate.

We passed the bottom ends of Porkies Track, and later McQuilkans.

(By the way, you can find a map of the day’s travels on page 5.08 in Antony Hamel’s book. Not all tracks are named on his map.)

Soon after passing McQuilkans we had to cross Sligos Creek twice and were soon at the next track junction.

Once again we turned right, now on Smithys Track. It is an “interesting” track with many changes of direction, and is somewhat rougher with several steep, …

… but brief climbs or descents, requiring care. We took our time, there being no rush.

At twelve, we came to a suitable lunch spot. There was room for all to sit beside the track where it was more open to the sky. Quite pleasant in fact.

Lunch consumed, it was onward once more. Along and down. We passed the top end of Steep Track, before eventually turning right to find Lake Whare.

Nice tracks to walk along in this area. One duck moved quietly across the placid waters as we arrived at the lake for a brief rest spot.

Not far now. Around the Lake Whare Loop track, we saw the stone ruins (house?) and the stone wall. Only a few hundred metres more and we emerged onto the road back at our cars.

The whole group had successfully completed the day’s tramp, although it would have been tough for those more acclimatised to street walk. But WELL DONE everyone. And I hope you had all appreciated the track clearing that our members had done.

My special thanks to Neil M., in fact to both Neils, for tagging along at the back to keep the troops moving today. Bruce’s machine records the day’s distance at 6.63 km.

As all the Hikers’ tongues were hanging out, a fast trip to Wal’s …

… was needed to revive them, the Trampers joining them as well. – Arthur.

11. 20/7/2016. Trampers. Bullring – Swampy Summit Circuit. M. Leader: Arthur.

Several of our regular members were away on grandparent duty for the school holidays and for other reasons, resulting in only a small group of 7 out for our weekly tramp.

After parking at the Bullring, we walked up the firebreak 4WD track to the highest spot where we had morning tea with a view. Some clay parts of the track had been rather greasy on the way up.

A further five minutes took us to the top of the track down to Ben Rudd’s Shelter, which we inspected …

… before continuing down the Jim Freeman track.

The tracks down to the Shelter, as well as the Freeman track were rather overgrown in places and greatly in need of a trim up – someone had made a start though.

Due to the track conditions – it was also a bit wet and slippery because of the recent rain – we had to take our time. In fact, it was very slow work going down Jim Freeman.

At the bottom we turned right to follow the Possum Busters track for the next leg of our journey. Someone had been along here recently and trimmed some ferns as well as doing some spade work in places. Possum Busters goes along for a bit before trending up-slope. We were making good time here but I was concerned about the time lost earlier downhill, so decided that it was time to go to “Plan B”.

It was with considerable apprehension that I told the group we would shorten our tramp and go up Porkies Track instead of Swine Spur. I knew everyone would be hugely disappointed – and they were! It transpired later that there had been a conspiracy to ensure that the leader did not reach the top of Swine Spur first! The plot was foiled.

And so it came to pass that we ascended Porkies.

Someone had recently made a very good job of clearing this track. As we climbed gently, as the track does, I’m sure that I heard several comments behind me, to the effect that “This is too easy, I wish we had gone up Swine Spur instead, etc, etc.” But perhaps I was mistaken.

It was time for lunch when we came to the Swampy Ridge 4WD track at 12.25 p.m. The group spread out a bit, each to find a good sheltered spot out of the cool wind. But it was lovely and sunny.

Within 30 minutes we were on the move, facing towards Flagstaff and home. The track, Swampy Ridge, was a little wet and muddy in places.

We had some good views now, noticing that there was some snow on the Rock and Pillar, and on the Lammermoors. Briefly  the “Taieri Pet” showed itself, although small in size, behind Middlemarch.

We turned off to join the Pineapple Track and followed it to the summit of Flagstaff.

A cold wind was blowing here so we didn’t linger long to enjoy the scenery.

Down hill into the cold wind for 20 minutes brought is back to the Bull Ring at 2.20 p.m.

We had travelled 11.6 km and had a good day’s tramp, with a good variety. The weather had been ideal – an almost clear, sunny sky, with a westerly wind which hadn’t really bothered us. But we were lucky – within 2 hours of finishing, a southerly storm had arrived – wind, rain, cold, the lot! – Arthur H.

There were 4 trampers on today’s tramp into Possum Busters territory. We started by climbing all the way up Swine Spur to the Swampy Ridge road, with a stop for morning tea at the junction with Possum Busters. We then walked along Swampy Ridge Rd. to the top of McQuilkans track, where we had a short break before going down there, & back across the creek onto Possum Busters track, where we turned right, & walked up to the junction with Porkies track, where we had lunch. Then we walked all the way around Possum Busters, past where we had morning tea, & out to Rollinsons Rd. above the locked gate. It was then just a short way back to the cars that were parked further down by the bridge.

A good walk after yesterdays track clearing effort, & an opportunity to see what lies ahead of us for track clearing the rest of Possum Busters, & the bottom end of Swine Spur. – Ken.

Starting at the Bullring, we made our way up the walking track to the top of Flagstaff. We took this route in preference to the 4WD track as it has had a dozer over it to cover up the fibre optic cable that hides, or was supposed to be hiding, under it’s surface. However, in the past, it has been quite visible in various places, all the way up to Swampy Summit, due to water erosion.
After having morning tea at the Rock Bivvy, we walked along to the joining track, which takes you over to the track leading up to Swampy Ridge Track. This had also been attacked by the dozer, & was VERY muddy & slippery, sending some of us into skiing mode on the downhill sections. I think we all made it along to the top of McQuilkans Track without falling over in the treacherous conditions.
We had a short stop here to discuss what we would do for the rest of the day, & it was decided to go down McQuilkans & find somewhere to have lunch in the sun. So we set of down this newly cleared track [thanks Green Hut Group]] had lunch at a semi-dry/sunny spot,…

…then negotiated the creek crossings to end up on Possum Busters track. Here we decided to head out onto the Flagstaff/Whare Flat Rd. walk up there to the bottom end of Big Rock Track, & go up there to Ben Rudd Shelter. We found the entrance to the track, where Ian H had put in a sign, but it wasn’t long before we lost the track, & despite a bit of a search for the correct way up, we gave up, made our way back to the road & walked up there back to the Bullring.
The weather was perfect, with hardly any breeze, & a good temperature. Although a short walk, it was enjoyable. – Ken.